Walking into the break room, Olivia sighed as she lifted the empty coffee pot, whoever had taken the last cup from the pot clearly had forgotten to put a new one on to brew. Sorting out fresh coffee, her favourite hazelnut roast she put the pot on to brew. Looking at a box of doughnuts that someone had left on the table she sighed, they looked like they had been sitting there for the last few days so were less than appealing, She fancied something sweet and savoury at the same time but there was nothing and she didn't really know what she wanted as usual the vending machine had a huge 'out of order' sign stuck on the glass.
Kneeling down she carefully reached her hand through the flap, twisting her wrist she tried to reach what she could, pulling out something she looked at the package , it was a packet of salted nuts. Not something she really wanted. Moving along she managed to pull out a chocolate covered marshmallow bar. Pulling her arm out she shuck out the stiffness that came with shoving it the wrong way through a vending machine
"You know technically that is stealing" a voice came from behind her
Standing she turned to see Elliot standing behind her "are you going to arrest me detective" she grinned.
"Well I would but that would involve a lot of paperwork and it is just a pack of nuts and a chocolate bar" he smiled "besides this way is far easier" he smiled hitting the side of the machine sending several packets of Chips, and snacks falling into the trap
"Was there something you actually wanted Detective Stabler" olivia smiled picking up her treats walking in to her office
"Actually yes," Elliot smiled following her . "What are you doing next wednesday?" he asked
" I don't even know what I am doing this evening" she smiled sitting at her desk
"Well I would like to take you out for dinner" he smiled
Looking at her calendar on her laptop she could see she had nothing scheduled. Thankfully. "it turns out I am free. If I can find a babysitter for Noah then it's a date" she said blocking the evening out on her calendar.
"I'll pick you up at 7" he smiled "see you later captain" he said
Walking out into the squad she looked up at the case board
"How are we getting on with finding a connection?" she asked
"I might have something," Rollins said, casting the screen of her laptop onto the TV screen. "So we know all 5 girls had some sort of connection with performing arts. Well I have found that all of them were on Summer and weekend programs with Juilliard and also on chat rooms about applying for the college programs. It talks about the applications and audition process. I have only found Sibbohan and Asiln on the main one ." she said, pulling up the 3 girls' accounts. "They all seem to interact with this one guy. A Jack Atkins a 2nd year student in dance, he seems to be asking to meet up to share tips and talk about what the teachers are like"
"Okay, Fin Velasco, go and pick him up for a friendly chat. Preferably outside the school last thing we want is the press publicity on this and the school complaining to 1pp" Olivia sighed "Rollins, see if Jack spoke to the other three girls or if they spoke to anyone else in the school."
One week later Olivia was sat in her office, when a notification pinged on her laptop
Dinner: Stabler 7pm
Smiling she gathered her things putting them all in her bag
"Right I'm off" she smiled walking out "you know where to reach me but I would rather you didn't"
"Hot Date?" Fin looked up from his desk
"I'm afraid I don't kiss and tell" Olivia grinned "have a good night" she smiled
The traffic in the City was awful for some unknown reason so it took her longer than she would like to reach Noah's school to pick him up and then head home.
"Have you packed everything yet?" Olivia asked as they walked through the door
"Almost mom!" Noah shouted running into his room grabbing the backpack from his bed.
"Good, why don't you grab a snack while I get sorted. Amanda will be here in a bit to pick you up." Olivia smiled walking down to her room. "Not my Oreos" she grinned, poking her head back round the corner watching as Noah made a b-line for the bright blue package in the top cupboard.
"Mom" Noah giggled
"Go on then" she smiled "not too many otherwise you will spoil your dinner"
Stepping out of the shower she sighed pulling open her wardrobe. She had sorted out a few outfits to wear but without knowing where he was taking her she had no idea on what to wear.
Hearing a knock on the door she grabbed her robe from the back of the bathroom door
"I got it!" Noah called running up the hall and wrenching the door open. "Hi Auntie Amanda" he smiled
"Hey trouble" Amanda smiled
"Hey Rollins" Olivia smiled walking up. "I need your help if you can spare 5 minutes"
"Sure" Amanda smiled following her friend towards the main bedroom.
"Which one?" she asked
Grabbing two dresses she had pulled out of the wardrobe; A knee length navy blue dress with a very high neckline that had little silver buttons. The skirt flared out slightly creating a flowy look. The second was a black dress with a button detail on the shoulder and 2 faux pockets on the hips. The look of this was more straight down hugging the figure.
"So?" Olivia asked
"Umm" Amanda said scratching her ear "they are both great"
"But?"
"Well are you going on a Date or testifying in court" Amanda said. Looking through the wardrobe. "What about this?" she smiled pulling out a dress that was in the back of the wardrobe
It was a deep red dress with a deep V- neckline and little ¼ length sleeves. The bodice was cinched into the waist where the skirt flowed in an A-line cut to just below the knee.
"I don't know. Don't you think I am a little too old to be the lady in red" she sighed
"No way. Wear it with confidence. Besides, I think it might just knock stabler over" Amanda smiled. "I'll let you get ready"
"Thank you" Olivia sighed
Stepping into the dress she turned looking in the mirror, it hugged her figure in all the right places. Sliding her feet into a pair of Black Louboutin pumps, she sat at the small dressing table in the corner of her room, brushing her hair in to soft curls that fell around her face
She was just adding the finishing touches to her makeup when she heard another knock at the door.
"I'll get it" Noah shouted
She could hear the voices in the corridor, standing in the doorway to her room she listened to the conversion
"Hi Elliot" Noah smiled as he pulled the door open.
"Hey Champ" Elliot smiled
"Your not going to hurt mum are you" Noah blurted out
"Noah!" Olivia said walking up fixing a earring in to her ear
"Liv, It's fine," Elliot smiled. " I have known your mum for a very long time and she is one of my closest friends. I wouldn't dream of hurting her in any way"
'Thank you' Olivia mouthed silently
Thinking about it for a moment Noah looked up at Elliot "That's good then"
"Right Noah" Amanda smiled "I think we had best let your mum get sorted and I think Billie and Jessie are waiting for their cousin to play tea parties with them "
"Bye mum" Noah smiled, wrapping his arms around her.
"Bye sweetheart" Olivia smiled, kissing her son on the cheek. "Be good for Amanda" she said softly
She watched as the front door closed.
"You look amazing" Elliot Smiled stepping forward snaking a arm around her waist kissing her cheek "these are for you" he said handing a small bunch of red roses
"Thank you" she said, carrying the flowers into the kitchen, placing them in the sink with some water to sort out later.
"Are you almost ready?" he asked
"Yeah let me just grab my things" she said walking back towards her room grabbing her bag and a simple black shawl for later.
Walking out it was a glorious spring evening, not too cool and not too warm. With the sun just beginning to set, turning the skyline a glorious rainbow of burning orange, red and pink.
Opening the door of a waiting cab Elliot allowed Olivia to slide in first before climbing in and shutting the door and giving the driver the destination, a little Italian restaurant that she had never been to before.
Their table was a small cosy corner booth, with a single candle in the middle
"Thank you" Olivia smiled as the Waiter handed her the menu
"Can I get you a drink?" he asked
"Um we will have a bottle of white please" Elliot smiled
"Certainly Sir" The Waiter said walking away
"Just don't tell them you only drink box wine. It's a crime in Italy" he lent over whispering in her ear. "And i would hate to have to arrest you"
Their drinks arrived quickly, the ice bucket hung elegantly over the side of the table. Taking the bottle Elliot carefully poured them both a glass before putting the bottle back in the ice bucket.
"So any ideas as to what you would like?" Elliot asked, looking over his menu.
"It all sounds delicious, but I think I will have the Chicken parmesan" she smiled closing her menu.
"You know the Chilli and Garlic shrimp is fantastic" he smiled "and shall we have a garlic focaccia to share"
"I hope you are not expecting a goodnight kiss later" Olivia grinned while taking a sip of her wine. He was right, this was far better than box wine.
Their food arrived quickly and was piping hot. Carefully cutting into her chicken Olivia swooned at the taste, the tomato sauce was rich and spicy but didn't have that classic over tomato taste that overpowered everything, with the cheese perfectly melted added a salty depth that was divine.
"I'm sorry about Noah. It's been tough on him. He wears his heart on his sleeve and gets attached quite easily"
"It's fine. He is a great kid. He is just looking out for his mum" Elliot smiled
Looking up into his steel blue eyes she was in awe, there were not many men who would take someone else's kid under their wing and embrace them as their own. But he had always been good with children, with 5 of his own and talking to the victims that were children.
"You have got…" he said softly, reaching over brushing a splash of the tomato sauce from the corner of her lip.
"Thank you" she said, taking her napkin blotting her lip.
She watched as their plates were carefully stacked and cleared.
"Can I get you the dessert menu?" the waiter asked
"Please" Elliot smiled and the waiter placed two small cards on the table.
Looking over the little card Olivia sighed they all sounded divine, from the semifreddo to the fresh berry panna cotta. Smiling as she spied her favourite Tiramisu.
After ordering their dessert along with a coffee for Elliot and a peppermint tea.
" So do you know what day today is?" Elliot asked
"Umm May 25th" she said
"No. Well yes it is but no. its 25 years since we became partners" he said
Closing her eyes Olivia sighed "Elliot… I…" she said softly "I didn't realise"
"It's fine," he smiled, "but I got you this." he said carefully, pulling a square box from the inside pocket of his jacket.
Lifting the lid Olivia was in shock at the bracelet that lay against the black velvet. There were 7 charms carefully placed along a silver bracelet with a heart clasp
"Elliot!" she gasped "it's beautiful" she smiled as he lifted it from the box doing it up around her wrist.
At that moment they were distracted by the arrival of their dessert, a tiramisu to share. Taking a bite Olivia swooned, it was the perfect mix of soft sponge soaked in coffee and amaretto and smooth sweet mascarpone. It was the perfect way to end a meal.
Walking out the restaurant, Olivia shivered as the cool night air hit her and despite having a shawl it was still chilly, taking his own jacket off he carefully draped it over her shoulders.
"Thank you" she smiled wrapping her arm around his arm as they walked down the road. "You know Noah is spending the night with his Auntie Rollins and Uncle Carisi" she whispered
Hailing a passing Taxi, Elliot gave the address to Olivia's building, hoping the traffic was in their favour and it wouldn't take too long to get across the city…